History Camp Low-Down

Well...I survived History Camp last week! It was one long, very hot week, but so much fun. The kids really enjoyed learning about the history of the county and city and getting to do all the arts and crafts from the time period. I got to catch up on my elementary school vernacular and learned a very important lesson on using a Google search. Both made me feel extremely old. And FYI according to the Urban Dictionary "Gingerbreading" is not an architectural detail on Victorian homes, it has a slightly different, more dirty meaning. Thanks Google for my education (and making me feel like an old stick in the mud). And I don't suggest you look up the urban meaning, its not very nice! My vernacular I learned was from a very 

mischievous 5th grader that I have used all the time since. He was leaving his group table, threw up two peace signs with his hands and proclaims "peace out, suckas" with such gusto, that I just laughed my head off. Since that time, my co-worker Ephraim and I have been using that just about every single day. Thanks to our Abercrombie & Finch wearing-Justin Beiber haircut little friend. Oh and I totally fell for the old "spell icup for me" trick from a little 3rd grade girl. Of course, me being me and wanting to get it right had to ask if it was spelled like eye drop or iphone to make sure I was spelling it correctly. Yep. Totally fell right into that one! The things kids do haven't changed much since I was their age twenty years ago.

Here is the run down on some of the activities we did. Each day had a different period relating to our county's history. Monday was Native American Day. They made pottery, did basket making, face painting, made bead necklaces, listened to a Creek Indian come tell about life as a Native American, played stick ball, and built fires so they could pop popcorn for their snack. Safety Third!

Tuesday was Pioneer Day. The kids got to churn butter, make biscuits in the fireplace in the log cabin, use a cross-cut saw, shell peas, how to quilt, weaving, and plow a garden with a push plow. I think the kids decided they wouldn't have survived living as a pioneer! I got to teach the kids how butter was made and how to shell peas. Here I am in my best teacher mode.

Here is Ephraim looking real enthused to be cutting logs in 100 degree heat!

Getting the biscuits in the dutch oven.

And then the best part, eating homemade biscuits, homemade butter, and mayhaw jelly. It was so good and the kids tore those biscuits up! I am adding this picture for Stacey, because she makes fun of my love for Capri Sun juice boxes. I am sipping on mine and eyeing the boxes of juice boxes! Ha Ha!

Wednesday was Antebellem Day and involved a nice day with a visit from some Confederate soldier actors that came in and taught the kids about life during the Civil War (or War between the States, depending on what side of the Mason Dixon line you are).

Then they learned about women during the Confederacy, learned to dance the Virginia Reel, how to make rope, tie dyed t-shirts and got to play on the joggling board.

Thursday was the best day. Victorian Day! And this was only because they made home-made ice cream. It was so yummy. I think it was because the lady made the custard with the good stuff - heavy cream and half and half. They made stained glass windows, played croquet, took a tour of the 1885 Lapham-Patterson House, made spool puppets, washed clothes, and made silhouette portraits.

I am sad because apparently, the camera deleted most of the pictures from Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I have no idea how that happened.

Friday was 20th Century Day. This was the day they took a trolley tour of downtown and all the Victorian homes and went and had lunch at the park. They made electric motors and then held a pagent for their parents to show them what all they had learned during the week. I was disappointed that they didn't learn how to make butter correctly from me. According to them, you make butter with buttermilk. I guess to a small child it would seem the best choice as far as milk products go to make butter.

I am happy that it is over and life can resume back to normal without me having to chase around a bunch of kids all day. After camp, I remembered why I dropped out of education courses after only two semesters in college! So, that is the low down of my week of camp. Fun times at the Museum of History. Ha Ha!